Private Charles Doran (Rainforth).
242649 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment.
Missing in Action 31st March 1918, aged 36.
In the 1891 census, confusingly we find that Charles living with a William Rainforth 25 and Ellen Rainforth born in Belfast, Ireland aged 23, Charles Rainforth (or Doran?) then 9 and living at 79 Clarke St., Burnley.
Charles (Doran) at the age of 17 (1899) was in the 3rd East Lancs (8940) and on the 18th July he was charged with desertion.
In the 1901 census, William Rainforth, Ellen Rainforth, Charles 19 and his future wife Agnes Rigby 18. All living at 10 Pendle St., Burnley.
Charles married Agnes Rigby in the June quarter, 1901, Burnley.
In the 1991 census, his family was living at 18 Pendle St., Charles 28 cotton weaver, Agnes 29 ring spinner born in Wigan, Lancs, son William 9 and two lodgers, Miss Rigby (wife’s sister?) and Mrs Rainforth ( born in Ireland, possibly his mother?).
Charles left his effects to his wife Agnes and son William.
From the Burnley Express dated 1st Feb 1919:
One of the 1914 enlistments in the 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment, TF, Private Charles Doran, 242649 has been missing since the action of the 21st March last, and definite news of him is anxiously awaited by his mother Mrs Doran, 18 Pendle Street Burnley, whose only son he is. 36 years of age Private Doran formerly worked as a weaver at Messrs Dugdales Mill and attended St Mary Magdalene's church. He served in Egypt with the Territorials and was in the Dardanelles campaign where he was wounded. On recovering he went to the Western Front and he has been notified as missing, as stated.
Charles is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France: Panels 42 & 43. Son of Mrs. Ellen Doran; husband of Agnes Doran of 18, Pendle St., Burnley.